Can machine



Feb. 9

T. F. CASEY CAN MACHINE Filed July 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwvawboz 2 1 002769;

Feb. 9,1926. 1,572,514

' T. F. CASEY CAN MACHINE Filed July 2, 1925 4 SbeetsSheet 3 ZZZa'a'ey Quorum Feb. 9 1926.

' T. F. CASEY 4 she vFAG gnueuhw Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

THOMAS. E. CASEY, 0'] WASHINGTON, DISTRIGT OF COLUMBIA.

can Macrame;

Application filed. J'iuly 2, 1925.. Serial; No; 41,158.

T 0 all whom it 771.60g]. concern Be it known that 1,. THOMAS F. CASEY, a citizen. of the United States, residing at liVashington D. C., haveinvented. a new and useful Can Machine, of which thefollowingis a specification.

This invention relates to a machine designed primarily for inserting bottoms in cans prior to the seaming, operation, the machine being adapted particularly for use in connection with cans of special shapes such as flat tobacco holding cans.

One of the objects of theinvention. is to provide a niachineof this character adapted to be used in connection with seaming machines such as shown, for example, in Patent No. 810,245 issued on January 16, 1906. I

Heretofore when it has been. desired to secure bottoms to cans by the use of a machine such as has heretofore been patented the operator who is employed especially for the purpose, inserts a properly shaped bottom into each can and places the can in a predetermined position but the bottom often becomes misplaced. Consequently the actuation of the machine spoils. the can operated on. Furthermore it has heretofore been necessary for the operator to start the machine at the proper times and slowness or negligence on his part results in a considerable loss of time. After the bottom has been secured in the can it has been removed by the operator and placed aside.

One of the objects of the present invention is toavoid all of the objections incident to the operation of machines as heretofore employed by providing a supplemental apparatus for use in connection with the seaming machine, this apparatus working in timed relation with the seaming mechanism so that one operator only is required and his duty is to place the cans in the apparatus with the bottoms positioned thereabove, the mechanism of the apparatus serving to force the bottoms into the cans. Another object is to provide an apparatus which firmly grips the cans during the handling thereof and brings them accurately successively to proper position in the seaming machine after which they are ejected automatically.

Another object is to provide automate means operated by the said apparatus for starting the seamingmachine so that it will properly cooperate with the apparatus forming the present invention.

lVith the foregoing and other, objects in view which, will appear as the description proceeds, the invention! resides in the com.- bination and, arrangement. of parts and in. the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood" that within the scope of what is clami'ed, changes in. the precise embodiment of the invention shown. can bemade Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preterred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the machine, parts. being broken away.

Figure 1. is. a view partly in elevation and partly in, section of the lower portion of the pedestal of the machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the machine viewed at right angles to Figure 1, the table being broken. away. Figure 4 IS a section, on l ne 4 Figure 2, portions of the seaming machine being indicated by broken lines.

Figure 5 ure 4.

Figure 6; is a section on line 6.6,.Figure 2. Figure 7 is a section on, line '7,-7, Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the ejector. Figure 9 is a section on line. 9.9,, Figure 8.

Figure 10. is. a section on line.10.10, Fig; ure 2. Figure 11 is a section on line l111, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a hollow pedestal having a base 2 adapted to be secured in plate in any manner desired. This pedestal is adapted to be erected close to a seaming machine such as. covered by the patent hereis a section on line 5.5, Figinbefore referred to so. that the foot pedal of the seaming machine and which has been indicated at A, wlll extend close to the lower portion of the pedestal. A standard 3. is car downwardly therefrom and slidable the arm 5, this rod extending through a coiled spring 9 one end of which bears against the ear 7 while the other end bears against the lower arm 5. Ear 7, by coming against the lower arm 5 obviously limits the downward movement of plunger 6 while the head 10 on the lower end of the rod, by'coming upwardly against'lower arm 5, limits the up ward movement of the plunger.

Plunger 6 has a tongue 11 projecting upwardly therefrom and lapping a tongue 12 extending downwardly from a slide 13. The meeting faces of the two tongues 11 and 12 are serrated as shown at 14 and connecting bolts 15 extend through these portions. Slots 16 are formed in the tongues. Thus it will be seen that by loosening the bolts 1.5 the tongues can be adjusted relative to each other and by tightening the bolts the parts can be held against relative movement.

The upper end of the slide 13 provides a bearing surface for a roller 17 carried by an mm 18 extending radially from a shaft 19 j ournaled in the upper portion of the standard 3. A finger 20 projects upwardly from this shaft and it will be obvious "that each time the finger is shifted in one direction the pin 13 and plunger 6 will be depressed so as to force the pedal A downwardly and thus start the seaming machine of which the pedal is a part. As soon as the finger 20 is released, however, the spring 9, which has been placed under compression, will return the plunger 6, slide 13, arm 18 and finger 20' to their normal positions. The pedal A has means, not shown, for automatically raising it when released so that the seaming machine will stop its operation.

Secured to the pedestal 1 is a bracket 21 in which is fastened a stub shaft 22 extend-' ing from the pedestal. Journaled 011 the projecting end of this shaft is a large drive gear 23 adapted to receive motion from any suitable means not shown. The lower portion of this gear is lapped by the finger 20 and extending laterally from the gear close to the periphery thereof is a tappet pin 24 adapted to come against and shift finger 20 once during each revolution of the gear.

The pedestal 1 is provided near its top with an annular shoulder 25 constituting a bearing or support for the hub portion 26 of a rotary table 27. As shown in the drawings antifriction bearings 28 may be provided for the table so that itcan rotate freely.

Formed in the table near its periphery are regularly spaced openings 29 and in each opening is mounted a block 30 the ends of which fit within rabbets 31 as shown particularly in Figure 10. The top faces of the blocks are normally flush with the top of the table but each block has downwardly projecting parallel flanges 32 having channels 33 in their inner faces. a

nected a movable jaw 35, the point of connection being indicated at 36. A spring 37 is located at the point of connection between the two jaws and serves to hold the jaws normally pressed toward each. other so as to grip upon a can placed therebetween. The free ends of the aws are preferably outtnrned as shown at 38 so as to diverge in the direction of rotation of the table and which direction has been indicated by an arrow in Figure 2. A finger 39 extends outwardly from the movable jaw and an arm 40 extends from said jaw inwardly past the pivotal point 36 and terminates in an ejecting head 41. The stationary jaw 34 has an opening 42 formed in the upper portion thereof of sufiicient size to permit the ejecting head 41 to pass there-through during the ejection of a can as hereinafter pointed out.

Extending downwardly from the table 27 at regular intervals are brackets 43 equal in number to the blocks 30. Each of these brackets has an antifriction roller 44 on the back face thereof and these rollers are adapted to be engaged successively by a shifting pin 45 extending radially from the gear 25. Thus once during each rotation of the gear 23 the pin 45 comes against one of the .rollers 44 and moves the table about its central bearing a distance substantially equal to the distance between the centers of the blocks 30.

A socket 46 is formed in the pedestal 1 below the shoulder 25 and this socket is adapted successively to receive rollers 47 mounted at the inner ends of locking .bolts 48. These bolts are regularly spaced around the pedestal and each of them is slidable within a guide 49. A bell crank 50 is 0 eratively connected to each bolt 48 and is pivotally mounted as at 51 on the bottom of the table 27; These bell cranks are regularly spaced and to the outer end of each of them is pivotally connected a rod 52 one end of which is offset downwardly as shown at 53 and shaped to form a fiat tongue 54 slidable within the adjacent bracket 43. This rod 52 is slidable within a guide 55 and a spring 56 mounted on the rod bears at one end against the guide and at its other end against a collar on the rod, thus to hold jected bolt thus serves to hold the table against rotation as will be obvious. hen the gear 23 rotates,however, for the purpose of shlfting the mechanism, the pm 45 will new, are

first comeagainst theprojecting" end on? the tongue 54 and. push said tongue forwardly. This will result in tlie actuation of the bell crank and the withdrawal of the bolt 4'8" from the socket 46. Immediately following" this withdrawal of the bolt and the conse'-' quent unlocking of the table, pin comes" against roller 44 and pushes the table a sufiioient distance to bring the next bolt 48* close to the socket46, the pin 45p'assi'ng out of engagement with the roller 44 just prior to the relocking of the table. As a. matter of fact the actuation of the table stops be fore the bolt is in proper alignment with the socket 46; In order to bring" the table to position to insuremovement of the bolt into; the socket there is provided in the pedestal l aspring pressed can 58, shown in Figure 5, which bears against rollers 59 carried within a groove 60 formedin the hub 26. The parts are so located that when tlremove ment of the table under the impulse of the pin 45 stops, the cam 58, by p'ressingon' one of the rollers 59'wil1 shift the table until said cam bears against two of the rollers as shown in Figure 5. This movement will be' suflicient to bring the bolt 48 into alignment with the socket.

A pair of standards 61' and 62 are" secured within the upper portion of the pedestal 1i and extend above the table. One of these standards extends radially over the table as shown at 63 and is provided, at its outer end, with a hanger 64. A rotatable shaft 65 is journaled in this hanger and in the overhanging porti'o1 1'63' of standard 62. To the lower end of this shaft is secured a: frame 66 which extends inwardly over the table and carries a roller 67. This roller is normally supported in the path of the fingers 39. A stop pin 68 extends from the hanger 64 into the pathof the frame 66 to limit the swinging movement of the frame inone direction and a spring 69 mounted on shaft 65 serves to hold the frame normally pressed against the stop. When the frame is moved away from the; stop when subjected to pres sure by one of the fingers 39 the spring 69 is placed under stress so that after the fin ger 39 moves past and out of Contact with the roller 67 the spring 69 will automatically return frame 66 to its normal position.

The standard 61 has aradially extended upper portion 70.to the free end of which is connected aguide head 71 in which a slide 72 is mounted for up and down reciprocation. This slide has a slot 73 into which projects one end of a lever 74. This lever is iiilcrumed between its ends as shown at 75 and its inner end is pivotally connected. as at 76, to a head 77 adjustably mounted on a rod 7 8; This rod extends downwardly into the pedestal 1 and is pivotally connected at its lower end to a crank arm 79 extending from a shaft 80. This shaft is journa led in the pedestal t and is provided;- at its outer end; with a finger" S l supported the path of a tappe-t pin 82 ex-tendingim- 'wardly tronrthegear 23.

Slldably mounted on the lower end of thesli'de-TQ is a presser' foot 88';- there being a slot 84% in slide 72* within which works apin 85 carried by the presser foot 831 Springs 86 are: seated within the presser foot-and bear upward l y against the slide 7 2' so' as to hold the presser foot normally extended downwardly relative to: the slideTQ. wear plate SZ'is secured? detachable to thebottom' face of thepresser foot and is so shaped and proportio'ued as to fit snugly inv $160311 bottom tobe secured to a can-.-

A bracket" 88 is extended from the peri estal 1, as shownin Figure I and pro ects above thetahl- 27' adjacent the prosser foot. This bracket supports a fed table 89 which overhangs the table and has a guide loop 90 projecti ng t'hereheyond' around the path of the resser foot. An: aaiti'fri ction roller 9-1 is mounted on the hracltet 88- and supports the table 27 adjacent the prcsser foot sothat pressure exerted by said foot will not tend? to sl ii ft table 27 downwardly out of its proper position.

In Figure 4 the spaced rollers B of the seeming machine have been il-l-ustra-ted in position prior totheir application to acan bottom. In: this 's'ame figure has also been" shown the lifting, rod G of the seaming metchine with its circular head D. The seanring' machine is so constructed that each time the pedal A is depressed the rod C is moved upwardly and the rollers B immed-i-atelv thereafter" shifted toward each other and caused to operate on the can bottom so as to produce" theproper' sear-n for fastenin the parts togetl'ier.

23 is adapted. to rotate continuously and, as before explained, this continuous operation will result in the intermittent ro tatlon oi table 271 Each movement of the table will bring" one of the ol'asps to positron under the loop 90 and as; it arrives in th s position the operator slidesa can into the clasp: and places a canbottomin the loop 90.. getter the table has been brought to this position. and the can body and bottomproperly placed the pin 24 comes against lager 20 and forces plunger 6 downwardly so to operate the pedal A and set in motion the mechanism of the seaming machine as already explained. Further rotation of the gear will bring 82 against and past finger 61 with the result that the press'erfoot will be; operated and will move downwardly against the can; bottom and force it firmly into the can body. As soon as the pin passes finger 81' a spring 92 which is connectedto lever 74' and to standard 61 will return the parts to theirinitial posi trons". Following" the actuation of the presser foot the pin {'15 unlocks thetable and,

the cam bottom between theseamin-g rollers, B, B. lVhile the can is thus supported the seaming operation will be effected, and the rod C moved downwardly to lower the block 30 to its normal position. The. next rota tion of the table 27 willwithdraw block 30 from the head D of rod C and will. bring the finger 39 of the clasp against the roller 67. This roller and its frame 66 will yield in the direction of rotation'of the tableand against action of spring 69 b ut will at the same time-retard the movement of the, finger 39 so thatthe movable jaw35 of .the clasp will be swung outwardly and thehead 41 will move against the can and eject it laterally away from jaw Standoff of'table 27. After finger 39 leaves the roller 67":the jaw 35 will return automatically to its. initial position. 4 1

1. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating fixed and movable jaws thereon constitutingca'n gripping means, a tripping element, means projecting from the movable jaw for engagement with the tripping element to shift said jaw and release agripped can. a p 1 I I 2. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating fixed and movable 1 jaws thereon constituting can gripping means, a tripping element, means projecting from the movable jaw for engagement'with thetripping element to shift said jaw and release a gripped can, and ejecting means operated by the movable jaw. a

3. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating fixed andmovable jaws there on constituting can gripping means, a yield able tripping element supported adjacent the table, and means projecting fromthe movable jaw for engagement with the triping element to shift said jaw and release a gripped can. 7

4. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating fixed and movable jaws thereon constituting can gripping means,a yieldable tripping element supported adjacent the table, means projecting from the movable jaw for engagement withthe trippingelement to shift said jaw and release a gripped can, and an ejecting element carried-by the movable jaw and shiftable thereby to eject a can from the stationary jaw.

5. The combination with a'movable table, of cooperating fixed and movable aws;there on constituting can gripping means, yielding means for' holding the jaws normally pressed towardeach other, a yieldingly restrained tripping element adjacent the table, meanson the movable jaw for engagement with said element to swing the movable jaw out of normal position and release the held can. v

6. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating fixed and movable jaws thereon constituting can gripping means, yielding means for-holding the jaws normally pressed toward each other, a yieldingly restrained tripping element adjacent the table, means on the movable jaw forengagement with said element to swing the movable jaw. out of normal position and release the held can, and an ejecting device connected to and movable with the movable jaw and through the stationary jaw.

7. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating jaws thereon constituting gripping means, a tripping element, means pro ecting from one of the jaws for engagement with the tripping element to shift the jaw and release a gripped article, and an ejecting device movable with one of the jaws and relative to the other jaw.

8. The combination with a movable table, of cooperating jaws thereon constituting gripping means, a yieldingly restrained tripping elementadjacent the path of the jaws,

means pro ecting from one of the jaws for engagement with the tripping element to shift said jaw and release the gripped artic e.

, 9. The combinationwith a movable table, of cooperating jaws thereon constituting gripping means, a yieldingly restrained tripping element adjacent the path of the jaws, means projecting from one of the jaws for engagement with the tripping element to shift said jaw and release the gripped article, and ejecting means movable with one ofthe jaws and relative to the other jaw.

10. The combination with. a rotatable table, a support therefor, and a plurality of locking bolts for successively engaging the support to hold the table against rotation, of a driving wheel and separate means actuated by the rotation of the wheel for successively unlocking the table and rotating the same.

11. The combination with a table and a support therefor, of a plurality of locking means carried by the table for successively engaging the support to hold the table against rotation, an actuating pin mounted ,for movement, and separatemeans for successive engagement by said pin to successively unlock and rotate vthe table.

- 12. The combination with a table and a support therefor, of separate lockingbolts for successively engaging the support to lock the table against rotation, brackets upon the table, members slidably engaging the brackets and operatively connected to the respective bolts, and a driving pin movable successively against a slidable member and its bracket to successively unlock the table and rotate it.

13. The combination With seaming mechanism lncluding a controlling pedal, of means for supplying cans to said mechanism including a table, a drive Wheel, means on the table for holding a can, means operated by the Wheel for intermittently actuating the table, and means operated by the wheel for actuating the pedal of the seaming mechanism in timed relation With the movement of the table.

14:. The combination with a table, and can machine, and separate means operated by the driving Wheel in properly timed relation for actuating the table intermittently and for intermittently shifting the pedal.

15. The combination With a table, can holding means thereon, and means for forcing a can bottom into a can on the table, of means for actuating the pedal of a seaming machine, a drive Wheel, and separate means operated by the drive Wheel for actuating the bottom pressing means, intermittently rotating the table, and actuating the pedal shifting means, all in properly timed relation to feed a can to the seaming machine In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

THOMAS F. CASEY. 

